Picture book 10 for 10 is here! Not many days can rival the picture book love shared on this day!
This celebration of picture books is hosted by Cathy from Reflect and Refine: Building a Learning Community and Mandy from Enjoy and Embrace Learning. Thanks to both of them for the work they do to promote this wonderful day of picture book sharing!
This is my fifth year participating in this event. In 2012, I shared ten beloved titles. In 2013, I went with a theme: Connections across the generations. In 2014, I shared ten “go to” titles on various themes like generosity, courage and forgiveness. Last year I highlighted favourite historical fiction titles.
This year I chose books that may inspire philosophical discussion. BIG questions with no absolute answer. Questions about meaning. And truth. Knowledge and reality. Ethics and morals. Books that will allow readers to think critically. To reason. To argue. To listen. To take risks in understanding and meaning making. To stretch one question into deeper and more complex questions.
For each title I have listed the initial questions I had after reading. Of course, in a room full of readers and thinkers, these questions would only grow!
Little Bird written by Germano Zullo and illustrated by Albertine
Is a small thing insignificant? What state of being do we need to be in to notice small details? How does this noticing change our reality?
You Call That Brave by Lorenz Pauli and Kathrin Schärer
What is courage? Is it an action or a decision? How do we determine what is bravery? Can a brave act for one be common place for another?
This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
What is ownership? Do we have the right to “own” something live? If yes, what responsibilities go along with this? Or is it even possible to own a living thing?
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell
What is nothing? Is it something? Does it have value? Significance? How do we measure the power or weight of nothing?
There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
Is there a place that brings bigger happiness? What are we searching for? Is it someplace we have been? Or someplace we only imagine? Can we truly be in the moment or are we always thinking ahead or looking back?
Wild by Emily Hughes
Can our true self be changed? What do we mean by the influence of nature or nurture? What is freedom? Can our spirit be contained? How much of our inner life is our own?
The Dog that Nino Didn’t Have written by Edward van de Vendel and illustrated by Anton Van Hertbruggen
Where is the place between imagination and reality? Can what we imagine make us truly happy? Which is superior – imagination or reality? In which circumstances?
Something Extraordinary by Ben Clanton,
What is real? What is fuelled by imagination? How does that influence our reality? Is there beauty in simplicity? In the everyday? Does it count if we don’t notice it?
My Teacher is a Monster by Peter Brown
What defines us? Who we are or how we are perceived? How does emotion affect perception? How does our reality change over time? How does experience alter reality?
Grandad’s Island by Benji Davies
Is there life after death? What would it be like? Do those we love remain with us? How? Where?
Follow along on twitter using the #pb10for10 hashtag. All posts will be linked on the Google Community Site for Picture Book 10 for 10
Happy picture book reading!
There's a Book for That 
My Teacher is a Monster is always a hit with students. I have to check out the others. I like the theme about questions. I wonder what questions students would come up with after reading some of these.
Once the questions begin, they just continue! The students always ask better ones than me!
Carrie,
So many interesting questions to ponder. I had to smile over your question, “what is nothing?”. There’s a picture book called “Let’s Do Nothing” that might fit right into that discussion. If I remember correctly you’re moving up in grade level this year. These questions will be perfect to ponder with your new students. Thanks for joining the celebration. I always look forward to the titles you curate.
Cathy
I love Let’s Do Nothing and how it is not possible to do absolutely nothing. Kids love this whole idea! Yes – I am moving up to Grade 4/5 and quite excited.
Every time we read one of your posts, our books to read list increases exponentially. Thank you for sharing so many thought-provoking books.
So pleased you found some new possibilities!
There are several here I love, and new ones, too. There looks wonderful, Carrie. Thanks for a great idea for a list!
Happy reading Linda! Such a fun day!
Great titles here, Carrie. And I love the questions you’ve posed as starters. You’re right – those questions are sure to grow!
Guaranteed!
I adore the theme of your list, Carrie. I feel like now that my daughter is getting close to starting Kindergarten (i.e., two weeks from today), it’s time for us to step-up our picture book reading so we can have bigger discussions. I will have to check out some of these titles so we can do that. THANK YOU for the inspiration.
Very pleased that you found this post inspiring! And kindergarten! Exciting times. Enjoy!
I love seeing My Teacher is a Monster appear on so many different lists with so many different themes. Says something about the depth of funny picture books!
I completely agree! The power of picture books!
Those are great questions to ask! I think you’ll have some great conversations around these books this year in your new classroom!
I haven’t read the Jeffers book. I’ll have to check that one out!
I think this Oliver Jeffers title is brilliant!
Every time I come to your blog, I learn more about titles I need to read. Thank you! I was able to reinstate a true story time this past year, where we simply lingered in text. And quite often we would get philosophical and end up on big questions. Books are beautiful that way aren’t they? Thanks for sharing today.
They certainly are. I love the time for talk and questions.
Oh, Carrie … does this list represent you so well, or what?!? Always a thinker and one to inspire thinking in your classroom and around the world! I love it!!!!
Well I did do my first degree in philosophy so that influence does weave its way into my world and teaching still!
I am not surprised by the thoughtfulness of your list – many new to me books, Carrie, so I look forward to reading these.
Happy reading! And thinking! Thanks Tara.
Beautiful list, my friend – and a theme very close to my heart! Of course we both love Grandad’s Island! It is so gentle and through-provoking. Two titles on your list that I don’t know are You Call That Brave? and The Dog that Nino Didn’t Have. I will be looking out for those. Nice to see some of my favorites like There and Little Bird. Happy 10 for 10!
Grandad’s Island is the book that is currently calling to me “Buy me! Buy me!” And of course, I am unlikely to resist for long! The Dog that Nino Didn’t Have is wonderfully moody and odd. I loved it (and purchased it!)
I love your list and the way that you organized it. Some are still on my To Read list. I know we’ll have fun checking them out, with your questions in mind. Thanks for sharing!
Happy reading Jana. I hope you love these titles as much as I do!
WOW! I love this idea for a theme, and I love your list! These titles would be great for my gifted classroom. Thank you!
So pleased it might be helpful Holly!
Your theme crosses all age groups, Carrie. Imagine presenting this group of books to middle school or high school writers as a springboard to their own writing!
I do think these books will appeal to questioning across many ages!
Thanks for sharing these titles. It’s always great to read books that stimulate philosophical discussion.
I think so too!
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Somehow I missed this post last week. Love the theme and I’m off to request some new-to-me titles – Granddad’s Island, There, This Moose Belongs to Me, Little Bird, and You Call That Brave? Yikes, that’s half your list. I love the questions you included.
I hope you enjoy the books Ramona!
Love this list! Pinning it for later because I can definitely use some of these in my classroom!